Technology can do wonders for us if used the right way

These are exciting times to live in

Ever since the dawn of time, the human race has struggled to improve the quality of their life. This struggle has resulted in the tools that have been used for millions of years to overcome the harshness of the wild and make the life more comfortable.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the technological steps that we have taken in the last century and the progress that has been made in that time period is far greater than anything that has ever been done in the entire history of human civilization. We have been able to conquer the moon and other planets, we have been able to travel from one end of the earth to the other in a matter of hours and we have been able to harness the invisible waves for our benefit too.

But these advances in technology have also resulted in tragedies like the 1st and 2nd World War along with the destruction that takes place every day. But the truth is that it is not the fault of the tools – which are the gadgets we make – but our fault. We have failed to use the technology for the betterment of the human race in a way that it could have been used.

However, the tide is turning and after a very long time the progress in technology and our machines is primarily being used for the betterment of our world. Following are some of the examples of how digital age has redefined what humanitarians are able to do.

Allowing people to communicate over long distances

This is perhaps the best thing we have used our technological knowledge for. People are now able to communicate with their relatives and loved ones, irrespective of where they live.
In addition to the above, the widespread of mobile phones ensure that warnings against natural disasters can reach millions of people at the right time. That’s not all. These devices have also become a cheap way to educate people in far off areas where it would be impossible or very difficult to use any other means. And one thing is for sure; people who want to help others are taking full advantage of this.

Big data is helping solve old problems

What is the benefit that we get when the computing equipment becomes cheap and easily accessible? Its processing power can be harnessed and thrown at problems which have remained unsolved for a long time. This is exactly how nonprofit organizations are not only able to manage their vast operations but are also able to predict and come up with solutions for problems like disease outbreaks and natural disasters. Information that is extracted using these machines is saving millions of lives all over the world every single day.

Everyone gets an education

The rise of technology has also enabled humanitarians to promote education and educate thousands of illiterate people using technologies like online classrooms and teleconferencing. This allows to increase the literacy, not just in one specific region or country, but all around the world.